The Copeland Furniture Finish

Our standard top coat is a pre-catalyzed lacquer. The "pre" refers to the fact that the acidic catalyst is added by the finish manufacture, as opposed to post-catalyzed lacquers where the components are combined at the time of spraying. Copeland's finishes are Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) rated - meaning they are made to withstand the type of heat, grease and spills typically found in a kitchen setting. This durability is a significant advantage over the industry's standard conventional lacquers. Also noteworthy is the matte, satin look and feel of our finish which contrasts favorably with the heavy build-up and high gloss of conventional finishes.

Water Based: The Next Generation

As the public's concern over indoor air quality continues to grow, Copeland is becoming the leader in non-toxic, eco-friendly water based finishes. Conventional petroleum based solvents contain large amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC)s which are harmful to the atmosphere. While most of these VOC's are released at the time of manufacturing, a small amount remains on the product and can off-gas in the home. Individuals with particular sensitivities sometimes report that this has an adverse affect on their health. That's why most of Copeland's furniture can now be requested in a non-emitting water-based finish. Technically, this finish is called an Acrylic Emulsion meaning that the resin is made up of acrylic polymers mixed in a water solvent. Since there is no petroleum based solvent, our water based finish is extremely low in VOC's and completely free of formaldehyde. As important, the finish is every bit as durable as our standard pre-catalyzed lacquer with the same satin feel. There is a slight difference in color - the water based finish tends to be a bit whiter than the pre-cat - but it's slight enough that unless you were looking at the two finishes side by side you might never know the difference. As this technology develops we anticipate a day when water based becomes the standard on all our furniture, however presently it is only available on about 3/4 of Copeland's pieces. Please contact us to request this finish on your furniture.

Hardware

This collection is available with all of the following hardware options on the center of the drawer. It is also available with all of the following options on the top of the drawer EXCEPT:

FTN-150

HGN-155

MMN-150

MMA-200

MRM-xxx*

MRC-xxx*

MSC-110

RDC-100

RDA-200

BRB-xxx*

BTC-xxx*

RDA-200

* "xxx" denotes that this knob is available in several different woods/stains. Contact us for details

Bed Rails

Bed side rails are solid hardwood.

All Copeland Furniture bed rails are fastened with a simple to use but extremely durable system designed keep the joint firm and rigid for the life of the product. Here's how it works:

A headless, threaded machine bolt is screwed into the headboard. Wooden dowel pegs align the bed rail with the headboard or footboard. This forces the bed rail into proper orientation and prevents any future twisting.

The parts are then joined together with a special contoured washer and hex nut using the supplied open-end wrench.

Bed Slats and Platforms

Mattress support comes in one of the following forms depending on the wood selected.

Platform Kits are similar to T-Slats in that they consist of a plywood horizontal element reinforced by a solid wood spine. However they differ in that they are much wider and are intended to provide the direct support for the mattress. They come in sets of six platforms and are standard on all Cherry beds intended for mattress alone.

Drawer Boxes

You'll notice that our drawers are joined with an asymmetrical English dovetail joint. Asymmetrical refers to the fact that the pins (seen on the drawer front) and tails (seen on the drawer side) are of different widths. This is the gold standard in traditional joinery and is both aesthetically and structurally superior to other common techniques.

The drawer front integrates directly with the drawer side. Often you will find furniture where the drawer front is simply screwed on to a pre-existing drawer box. This is usually because the manufacturer has opted to purchase pre-manufactured drawer boxes rather than going to the trouble of designing, engineering and building the components to match their individual designs. Sadly, many manufacturers who market themselves as Made in the USA engage in this practice, effectively outsourcing components that make up nearly half of the product.

Some manufacturers cut corners, leaving drawer boxes unfinished. Not only is this unsightly, it is potentially hazardous to your clothing. Delicate garments can be snagged or even torn on rough unsanded surfaces and this becomes more pronounced with age as the unprotected wood is exposed to changing humidity. Copeland's drawer boxes are fully finished and sanded on the interiors.

Case Sides

Solid Side construction means that the main structural members are the two 3/4" solid wood side panels. These groups are visually and structurally enhanced by dovetailed drawer dividers that lock the sides into position, preventing the panels from separating. This simple but versatile form of construction can accept any number of decorative elements allowing a wide array of design expressions. Solid side groups may be made of either Cherry or FSC Certified Maple.

Drawer Glides

Three Glide Fixed: In this configuration two glides on either side of the drawer carry the load while a single under-mounted glide keeps the drawer tracking straight. We've opted for this system for groups with very wide drawers that benefit from the addition of the third glide.